THE HEADLINES:
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi leaves for China to attend the SCO summit after concluding two day visit to Japan; Says India-Japan friendship may scale newer heights in the times to come.
- Prime Minister Modi meets Governors of 16 prefectures in Tokyo today; Urges them to participate in India’s growth story.
- Union Minister Piyush Goyal hails GDP growth numbers of 7.8 per cent in first quarter; Says India is a global growth engine fueled by reforms and resilience.
- Eleven people including seven members of a family killed in two separate landslide incidents in Jammu region; IMD forecasts heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places in Himachal Pradesh, Punjab and Uttarakhand today.
- And, Relief and rescue operations continue at war-footing in Punjab as several districts reel under massive floods.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi concluded his productive two-day visit to Japan today. After attending the 15th India-Japan Annual Summit on the first day, PM Modi met with the Governors of 16 prefectures in Tokyo today. Prime Minister highlighted the potential of the States-Prefectures collaboration and urged action under the State-Prefecture Partnership Initiative launched during 15th Annual Summit for shared progress. Prime Minister Modi urged the Governors and Indian State governments to leverage the new initiative and forge partnerships in the fields of manufacturing, technology, innovation, mobility, next-generation infrastructure, start-ups and SMEs. Prime Minister invited the Governors to participate in India’s growth story.
Following the talks, Prime Minister Modi and his counterpart Shigeru Ishiba reached Sendai in Miyagi Prefecture by Shinkansen-bullet train and visited the Tokyo Electron factory, a major manufacturer of semiconductor production equipment. After the factory visit, Prime Minister Modi left for China to attend the SCO Summit. In a social media post, Prime Minister termed the visit as productive saying, may India-Japan friendship scale newer heights in the times to come. Our correspondent reports that the visit marks an era of new beginning in India- Japan partnership.
More from our correspondent:
In a major diplomatic and economic breakthrough, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba unveiled a bold strategic blueprint to redefine India-Japan ties over the next decade, with far-reaching agreements across key sectors. At the heart of the outcomes was the India-Japan Joint Vision for the Next Decade, a 10-year strategic framework identifying eight priority areas —economic partnership, economic security, mobility, ecological sustainability, technology and innovation, health, people-to-people links and state-prefecture engagements. Among the most notable economic announcements was Japan’s commitment of 10 trillion yen in private investments in India over the next decade. The two sides also launched a comprehensive Economic Security Initiative, with a fact sheet listing cooperation in semiconductors, clean energy, telecom, pharmaceuticals, critical minerals and emerging technologies. The two leaders also signed a Joint Declaration on Security Cooperation. Apart from that human mobility was given a strong push with an Action Plan for Human Resource Exchange, targeting a two-way movement of 500,000 people, including 50,000 skilled and semi-skilled Indian workers to Japan over the next five years. Om Awasthi, Akashvani News, Tokyo.”
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The 25th Summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization will begin tomorrow in Tianjin, China. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will participate and join global leaders in the two-day deliberations. The summit will review 25 years of the organization’s achievements and also adopt a ten-year development strategy. China is hosting the SCO Summit for the fifth time, with President Xi Jinping chairing the proceedings. More than 20 heads of state and 10 leaders of international organizations are expected to attend. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin are among the prominent participants, making this summit the largest and most ambitious in the history of the organization.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to arrive in Tianjin this afternoon to attend the 25th Summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. Beginning tomorrow, the two-day summit will bring together heads of state of member countries, observer states, and partner organizations. The Prime Minister, along with other leaders, will deliberate on issues such as regional security, connectivity, sustainable development, and global cooperation. India’s active participation highlights its commitment to strengthening multilateral dialogue and advancing shared development within the SCO framework Ritesh Kapoor, Akashvani News, Tianjin.”
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Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has stressed that self-reliance in defence is not merely an option, but a condition for survival and progress. Addressing a Defence Conclave in New Delhi today, he said the government believes that self-reliant India can safeguard its strategic autonomy. Highlighting the success of Operation Sindoor, Mr. Singh said, this Operation is a shining example of the country’s growing indigenous defence capabilities.
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Union Minister of Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw inaugurated the country’s first tempered glass manufacturing plant in UP’s Noida today. This plant is a significant step towards promoting electronics manufacturing in India and strengthening the Make-in-India initiative.
Mr Vaishnaw said that India has made remarkable progress in electronics manufacturing over the years. He said that an electronics manufacturing ecosystem is taking shape in the country.
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India’s real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is estimated to grow by 7.8 per cent in April to June quarter of financial year 2025-26, at a five-quarter high. In the fourth quarter of the last financial year, the GDP had grown by 7.4 per cent, whereas the same stood at 6.5 per cent in the first quarter of previous fiscal year. According to the Quarterly Estimates of GDP for first Quarter of current fiscal released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, Nominal GDP has witnessed a growth rate of 8.8 per cent in during the same period. Welcoming the growth figures, Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said India is not just the world’s fastest-growing large economy but these figures are remarkable in themselves.
Union Minister for Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal said India is a global growth engine fueled by reforms and resilience.
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Sanjay Nayar, President, ASSOCHAM, termed India’s Q1 GDP growth numbers stellar, which showcased remarkable strength and stability. He said, this performance reflects both effective policy measures and resilient domestic demand. Hemant Jain, President, PHDCCI, said India’s economy has maintained a resilient growth trajectory, highlighting India’s steady pace towards Viksit Bharat by 2047. Jyoti Vij, Director General, FICCI, said the GDP growth figures are a testament to the Indian economy’s resilience. She said, the strong growth has come at a juncture when the country is facing significant global headwinds and will help boost business sentiments.
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In Jammu and Kashmir, 11 people have lost their lives during the past 12 hours in landslide and cloudburst incidents in Ramban and Reasi districts of the Jammu division. Rail traffic in Jammu division remained completely suspended for the fifth consecutive day today and will continue to remain paralyzed for the next couple of days. More from our Correspondent:-
However, to help the stranded passengers reach their destinations the railway authorities have announced two special train services from Jammu Tawi Railway station today for Chhapra and Mhow to cater to passenger needs. The first Special Train to Mhow will depart Jammu Tawi Railway Station at 3 PM via Ludhiana, New Delhi, Gwalior, and Bhopal. The other Special Train to Chhapran will depart Jammu at 5 PM via Ludhiana, Moradabad, Gonda, and Basti. The 270 kms long strategic Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH44), remains closed for the fifth consecutive day today due to multiple landslides triggered by the August 26 heavy rains and flash floods. The prolonged blockade has left over 2 thousand vehicles stranded at different points and caused acute shortages of fuel, LPG, fresh vegetables and other essential commodities in several districts. The highway has been blocked at several places between Jakhaini and Chenani in Udhampur and the restoration work has not been completed yet. Men and machines of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) are on the job to clear the road. This is N. Gulshan Raina, For Akashwani News from Jammu.
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In Punjab, the heavy flow of water from hilly areas have created trouble for the state as over 14.11 lakh cusec water has been received in river Raavi till date, inundating many areas. This is the highest discharge the State had ever received. In the year 1988, when the state witnessed severe floods, the water discharge was 11.20 lakh cusec. The increase of water in Pong and other dams, which has to be relased in controlled manner, is a worrisome factor; We have report:-
Although water has receded in some districts of Majha and Doaba regions of the state but the woes of the people of the affected areas of 7 districts have not eneded yet. The weather warning of heavy to very heavy rain at isolated places in Punjab for another three-day is a major worry for people as well as for the state government. Meanwhile, Ajnala and Ramdas areas of Amritsar are also getting affected. The overflowing of Ghaggar has created problem for some areas of Patiala district as well. Still, the situation is under control as all the agencies including Army, Indian Air Force, NDRF, SDRF, Punjab Police and voluntary organizations are jointly putting in best of their efforts to evacuate and resue the stranded. Relief material is also being provided to them. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann who chaired a high level meeting and constituted a high powered committee, yesterday, had directed Chief Secretary Mr. KAP Sinha to accelerate relief efforts.WITH RAJESH BALI, AISHWARYA RAI NIGAM AKASHVANI NEWS DELHI.
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The monsoon remains fully active in Himachal Pradesh, and due to heavy rainfall and landslides, hundreds of roads, including two national highways, are blocked for traffic. Meanwhile, the Meteorological Department has predicted the possibility of heavy to very heavy rainfall in several districts of the state over the next three to four days.
The continuous monsoon activity in the state has led to numerous challenges for the people. In many places, road connectivity, electricity, and drinking water supply have been completely disrupted. In Chamba district, the heavy rains have severely impacted daily life, with nearly 300 road routes still blocked, and normal life of the affected people has yet to be restored. The rescue operation for pilgrims stranded during the Manimahesh Yatra has been intensified, with over 4,000 pilgrims rescued and brought to safety in Chamba. The state government and administration are actively delivering relief materials to affected areas through helicopters. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu will conduct an aerial survey of Bharmour and Manimahesh today, he will also meet with the affected people, and hold a meeting with officials to review the ongoing relief operations. Prabha Sharma, Akashvani News, Shimla.
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The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places over Coastal Karnataka, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab and Uttarakhand today.
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Indian men’s doubles pair of Anirudh Chandrasekar and Vijay Prashanth advanced to the second round of the US Open after upsetting eighth-seeded local favourites Christian Harrison and Evan King in three sets. They won 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 in one hour 42 minutes, riding on a far superior first and second serves.
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The Indian women’s hockey team left for Hangzhou, China today, for the Women’s Asia Cup 2025 beginning from the coming Friday. The 20-member team is being led by captain Salima Tete, who is looking to win the tournament to secure India’s spot for the FIH Women’s Hockey World Cup 2026 next year.
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN:
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi leaves for China to attend the SCO summit after concluding two day visit to Japan; Says India-Japan friendship may scale newer heights in the times to come.
- Prime Minister Modi meets Governors of 16 prefectures in Tokyo today; Urges them to participate in India’s growth story.
- Union Minister Piyush Goyal hails GDP growth numbers of 7.8 per cent in first quarter; Says India is a global growth engine fueled by reforms and resilience.
- Eleven people including seven members of a family killed in two separate landslide incidents in Jammu region; IMD forecasts heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places in Himachal Pradesh, Punjab and Uttarakhand today.
- And, Relief and rescue operations continue at war-footing in Punjab as several districts reel under massive floods.
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